I was close to quite a few members of the Redeye Section when I was transferred to CSC in Apr of '75... it was a fairly small group, so it was pretty easy to get to know everyone. Some of my closest friends in this group included Trygg (Stump) Andersen, Jessie Calloway, Michael Hight, Tom Woodell... and I might've forgotten 1 or 2 others. Despite being transferred to CSC, I was still in touch with my good friends at B and C Company (though some of these friends completed their military service before I did). I still miss the Redeye Section today, some teams you never forget.
Best Moment
One of the best moments for me, in the entire time I was in the service, was when I was chosen to represent my unit (CSC, 2Bn 48Inf) by participating in the annual Redeye Missile live-fire exercise held at Grafenwoehr in 1976. There was only one Redeye Section in our entire Battalion, so I wasn't just representing our Section or my Company- I was representing my entire Battalion as well. Was I nervous during my live-fire, with a grandstand full of military personnel and soldiers watching me? You bet. But I fell back on my training, did what I was taught to do, and I scored a direct hit (as opposed to a tactical kill) on the BATS target that day- I was actually one of the few gunners in 3d Armored Division to do so. I would eventually be commended by the 3d Armored Division and the 2-48 Battalion Commander for my performance while attached to the Redeye Section in CSC from Apr of '75 to Sep of '76.
Chain of Command
Company Commander: CPT Willie B. Nance Jr.
Other Memories
There were 3 standard field maneuvers (3-4wks each) we went on every year, for 3 1/2yrs: Grafenwoehr, Hohenfels, and Wildflecken (in winter). There were also various other field exercises that we participated in as well: REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany, or How to Move 10 Divisions in 10 Days), Guard duty at the Miesau Munitions Depot, 'Combat in Cities' training in Berlin, winter training in Munich, etc. It was always nice to get back to Garrison (Coleman Kaserne, Gelnhausen) after any field duty. I had a walking stick that had hash marks cut on it for every field exercise I went on... by the end of my 3 1/2yr tour in Germany I had about 13 hash marks on that stick.
Description Grafenwoehr is located in beautiful Bavaria, near Nuremberg. The major command is the 7th Army Training Command with the primary mission of training. There are approximately 1000 people assigned as peGrafenwoehr is located in beautiful Bavaria, near Nuremberg. The major command is the 7th Army Training Command with the primary mission of training. There are approximately 1000 people assigned as permanent party in Grafenwoehr. In 1998 the 7th Army Training Command (7ATC) initiated a live-fire exercise to train armored task forces and companies at Grafenwoehr Training Area. This is a significant change in land use at GTA, which has traditionally supported only limited off-road maneuvers.
The 90-year-history of the Grafenwoehr Training Area begann under the Royal Bavarian Army and continued with the German Wehrmacht. Many celebrities have visited Grafenwoehr, to include the Bavarian Princes and Elvis Presley, the King of Rock´n´Roll. Some may remember it as Strafenwoehr, a play on words about "Punish-Woehr" because the German word for punishment is the manipulated word of "G-rafen-Woehr" into "S-trafen-Woehr).... More
Description Hohenfels Training Area was approximately 45 miles southwest of Grafenwoehr, and was less than 60 miles from the Czech Republic border. It was located in Neumarkt County in the Upper Palatinate distriHohenfels Training Area was approximately 45 miles southwest of Grafenwoehr, and was less than 60 miles from the Czech Republic border. It was located in Neumarkt County in the Upper Palatinate district in the independent state of Bavaria. The region was part of the "Upper Palatinate Jura" uplands that extended from Amberg in the north to the Danube river in the south. The characteristic features of the Jura were hilly terrain with softly rounded rock formations, mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, dry valleys and a general scarcity of water resources. The arable land in the lower sections between the hills is of low fertility, frequently covered with eroded rock and limestone. These conditions explained the sparse population of the area.
Hohenfels' elevation ranged from 1,155 feet above sea level in the southeast corner of the training area to more than 2,000 feet above sea level in the southwest, and terrain varies from hills and softly rounded rock formations to dry valleys. Forests of coniferous and deciduous trees, brush and grasses grew in the yellow- and brown-clay topsoil. The limestone ground absorbed water slowly, but erosion control measures helped prevent topsoil from washing into streams.
Hohenfels had been the subject of intensive geological and hydro-geological investigations for several years to identify geotectonic zones of weakness (dolines, sinkholes) causing excessive turbidity in off-post areas after heavy rainfalls and demonstrating a potential safety hazard for training units during maneuver activities. Groundwater turbidity appeard to have increased since the construction of erosion control basins at the HTA.
Historical finds near the Vils and Naab rivers indicated settlement of the region as early as 700 BC, although human life could be traced back nearly 4,000 years. In early recorded history, the area was mentioned in 15 BC, by Emperor Augustus who sent his army north across the Alps to stop the southward move and land occupation by the Celtic and Gallic tribes. One of the tribes' strongholds was allegedly on Lindenberg Hill.
Historically, the primary occupation of the region's population was agriculture, cattle breeding, work in the forests and minor trade. Everyday life was uneventful until the area attracted military attention in 1937. The Hohenburg castle ruins on the Hohenfels Training Area was built around 1,000 AD by the counts of Hohenburg. After destruction and decay it was rebuilt in 1584. Its role was the domicile of nobility ended in 1641 when it was badly damaged by lightning that struck the gunpowder tower.
Hohenfels takes its name from the rock formations prevalent in the area and is literally translated as "high rock" or "high cliff." The name Hohenfels referred to the elevated location of the former castle. Built by a Noble of Hohenfels in the 10th century it changed hands several times. In 1631, Tilly, the famous general of the Thirty Years' War, possessed it. Later, in 1724, it was returned under Bavarian ownership and in 1804, its role as a residence of nobles ended. New private owners tore it down leaving nothing but part of the tower and wall ruins.
Numerous wars and conflicts burdened the local and regional populace including the Peasants' War in 1524 and the Thirty Years' War from 1618-1648. Between 1716 and 1721 the beautiful church "Saint Ulrich" was built. In 1743 nearly the entire town was destroyed by fire. A look at the town's buildings impressed the extent of that fire and by 2000 only few houses were over 200 years old. Conflict continued after with the Spanish and Austrian Succession War in the 18th century, and the First and Second World War, which resulted in the loss of uncounted lives and in immeasurable suffering and pain.
It was during the latter that the German army established a training area near the town of Hohenfels in 1938, and German combat units activated, reorganized and reequipped at the training area throughout World War II. Several villages were evacuated when the training area was built and expanded. A few scattered ruins remained in the training area. Polish, Ukrainian, Yugoslav, Russian, British and American soldiers were also interned at a prisoner of war camp at Hohenfels until they were liberated by the Third US Army on 22 April 1945. As one of the few facilities that had not suffered major damage, the camp became a processing station for displaced persons. US forces in 1951 expanded the training area to 40,017 acres, and American units began training there in October 1951. This facility became known as the Hohenfels Training Area (HTA).
Hohenfels and the HTA became home to the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) in 1988, a part of the 7th Army Training Command. The CMTC at Hohenfels, at 39,858 acres (16,130 hectares), was the second largest training area available to US forces in Europe. The main mission was the training of troops.
By the mid-1980s much of the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany had become a moonscape. Tanks got stuck in the sucking mud, yellow-clay soil washed into streams and lakes, killing fish, and other animals and plants suffered as the land deteriorated from constant training. In response, the Department of the Army in 1985 created the Integrated Training Area Management program to rehabilitate US Army training lands throughout the world and, more importantly, to prevent them from becoming wastelands again.
In 1985 Hohenfels was chosen as one of 4 ITAM pilot sites to bring "drawing board" concepts to reality. When the ITAM program was fully integrated into other Army training areas in 1988 and 1989, Hohenfels became a model for training area land management worldwide. The office of the deputy chief of staff for operations picked up responsibility for ITAM-DA in 1996, so that management of the program moved from the Army's environmentalists to the trainers. The change was significant, because it forced the training community to recognize the importance of land management now that funding comes through the training program.
Some of my close friends while I was assigned to BCo 2-48 included Robert (Bob) Briggs, Kevin (KC) Wood, Steve Hanks (who was actually in CCo), Donn (Otis) Rice, Carroll (CC) Collins, John McCrory and Mike Sheriff. Sadly, some of these friends have since passed away- including Bob Briggs, and I believe Mike Sheriff. That said, I am still in touch with Steve Hanks who was one of my closest friends back in the day- and I've also been in touch with a few others on this list, but that was long ago now. Looking back, I was blessed to have these friends in my (military) life- they helped me make it through the 3 1/2 years I would eventually serve in Germany.
Best Moment
(information pending - to be added shortly)
Worst Moment
One of the worst moments in the service for me happened a few months after I arrived in Germany and joined BCo 2Bn 48Inf. I received notice that my grandmother was in the hospital back home (in critical condition), and the First Sergeant (Perry D. Lee) told me to get on a flight home right away. By the time I got back home, my Grandmother had unfortunately already passed away. As a result, my mother had a lot of pressure on her at that point- her mother had passed away, she divorced my father years earlier, and she had two kids still at home to take care of.
I really wanted to be there to support her, and because of that I nearly went AWOL when I arrived at the airport on the east coast getting ready to head back to Germany after the funeral. Between the pressure my Mom was under, and the pressure on me facing another 3 years left in the Army before I could return home to support her- I actually left the airport terminal and was getting ready to hitch a ride. I had it all planned out in my mind to head to Chicago where my Aunt lived, go to the nearest military base there and claim hardship. But I thought about all of that for a bit, and I then turned around and returned to the terminal and got on that plane headed back to Germany. It was a hard decision to make peace with at the time, but in this case the hard thing was the right thing to do.
Chain of Command
Company Commander: CPT Walter T. Strother
Other Memories
There were 3 standard field maneuvers (3-4wks each) we went on every year, for 3 1/2yrs: Grafenwoehr, Hohenfels, and Wildflecken (in winter). There were also various other field exercises that we participated in as well: REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany, or How to Move 10 Divisions in 10 Days), Guard duty at the Miesau Munitions Depot, 'Combat in Cities' training in W. Berlin, winter training in Munich, etc. It was always nice to get back to Garrison (Coleman Kaserne, Gelnhausen) after any field duty. I had a walking stick with hash marks cut on it for every field exercise I went on... by the end of my 3 1/2yr tour in Germany I had about 13 hash marks on that stick.
Finally, here's a list of the vehicles I was qualified to drive and work on, per the 63C SMOS I received while working in the motor pool during my time with B Company (from 1973-75):
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Comments
A medal/ribbon awarded to me for 3 consecutive years of honorable and faithful service while serving in the U.S. Army between 1972-76.
Description Grafenwoehr is located in beautiful Bavaria, near Nuremberg. The major command is the 7th Army Training Command with the primary mission of training. There are approximately 1000 people assigned as peGrafenwoehr is located in beautiful Bavaria, near Nuremberg. The major command is the 7th Army Training Command with the primary mission of training. There are approximately 1000 people assigned as permanent party in Grafenwoehr. In 1998 the 7th Army Training Command (7ATC) initiated a live-fire exercise to train armored task forces and companies at Grafenwoehr Training Area. This is a significant change in land use at GTA, which has traditionally supported only limited off-road maneuvers.
The 90-year-history of the Grafenwoehr Training Area begann under the Royal Bavarian Army and continued with the German Wehrmacht. Many celebrities have visited Grafenwoehr, to include the Bavarian Princes and Elvis Presley, the King of Rock´n´Roll. Some may remember it as Strafenwoehr, a play on words about "Punish-Woehr" because the German word for punishment is the manipulated word of "G-rafen-Woehr" into "S-trafen-Woehr).... More
Description Hohenfels Training Area was approximately 45 miles southwest of Grafenwoehr, and was less than 60 miles from the Czech Republic border. It was located in Neumarkt County in the Upper Palatinate distriHohenfels Training Area was approximately 45 miles southwest of Grafenwoehr, and was less than 60 miles from the Czech Republic border. It was located in Neumarkt County in the Upper Palatinate district in the independent state of Bavaria. The region was part of the "Upper Palatinate Jura" uplands that extended from Amberg in the north to the Danube river in the south. The characteristic features of the Jura were hilly terrain with softly rounded rock formations, mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, dry valleys and a general scarcity of water resources. The arable land in the lower sections between the hills is of low fertility, frequently covered with eroded rock and limestone. These conditions explained the sparse population of the area.
Hohenfels' elevation ranged from 1,155 feet above sea level in the southeast corner of the training area to more than 2,000 feet above sea level in the southwest, and terrain varies from hills and softly rounded rock formations to dry valleys. Forests of coniferous and deciduous trees, brush and grasses grew in the yellow- and brown-clay topsoil. The limestone ground absorbed water slowly, but erosion control measures helped prevent topsoil from washing into streams.
Hohenfels had been the subject of intensive geological and hydro-geological investigations for several years to identify geotectonic zones of weakness (dolines, sinkholes) causing excessive turbidity in off-post areas after heavy rainfalls and demonstrating a potential safety hazard for training units during maneuver activities. Groundwater turbidity appeard to have increased since the construction of erosion control basins at the HTA.
Historical finds near the Vils and Naab rivers indicated settlement of the region as early as 700 BC, although human life could be traced back nearly 4,000 years. In early recorded history, the area was mentioned in 15 BC, by Emperor Augustus who sent his army north across the Alps to stop the southward move and land occupation by the Celtic and Gallic tribes. One of the tribes' strongholds was allegedly on Lindenberg Hill.
Historically, the primary occupation of the region's population was agriculture, cattle breeding, work in the forests and minor trade. Everyday life was uneventful until the area attracted military attention in 1937. The Hohenburg castle ruins on the Hohenfels Training Area was built around 1,000 AD by the counts of Hohenburg. After destruction and decay it was rebuilt in 1584. Its role was the domicile of nobility ended in 1641 when it was badly damaged by lightning that struck the gunpowder tower.
Hohenfels takes its name from the rock formations prevalent in the area and is literally translated as "high rock" or "high cliff." The name Hohenfels referred to the elevated location of the former castle. Built by a Noble of Hohenfels in the 10th century it changed hands several times. In 1631, Tilly, the famous general of the Thirty Years' War, possessed it. Later, in 1724, it was returned under Bavarian ownership and in 1804, its role as a residence of nobles ended. New private owners tore it down leaving nothing but part of the tower and wall ruins.
Numerous wars and conflicts burdened the local and regional populace including the Peasants' War in 1524 and the Thirty Years' War from 1618-1648. Between 1716 and 1721 the beautiful church "Saint Ulrich" was built. In 1743 nearly the entire town was destroyed by fire. A look at the town's buildings impressed the extent of that fire and by 2000 only few houses were over 200 years old. Conflict continued after with the Spanish and Austrian Succession War in the 18th century, and the First and Second World War, which resulted in the loss of uncounted lives and in immeasurable suffering and pain.
It was during the latter that the German army established a training area near the town of Hohenfels in 1938, and German combat units activated, reorganized and reequipped at the training area throughout World War II. Several villages were evacuated when the training area was built and expanded. A few scattered ruins remained in the training area. Polish, Ukrainian, Yugoslav, Russian, British and American soldiers were also interned at a prisoner of war camp at Hohenfels until they were liberated by the Third US Army on 22 April 1945. As one of the few facilities that had not suffered major damage, the camp became a processing station for displaced persons. US forces in 1951 expanded the training area to 40,017 acres, and American units began training there in October 1951. This facility became known as the Hohenfels Training Area (HTA).
Hohenfels and the HTA became home to the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) in 1988, a part of the 7th Army Training Command. The CMTC at Hohenfels, at 39,858 acres (16,130 hectares), was the second largest training area available to US forces in Europe. The main mission was the training of troops.
By the mid-1980s much of the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany had become a moonscape. Tanks got stuck in the sucking mud, yellow-clay soil washed into streams and lakes, killing fish, and other animals and plants suffered as the land deteriorated from constant training. In response, the Department of the Army in 1985 created the Integrated Training Area Management program to rehabilitate US Army training lands throughout the world and, more importantly, to prevent them from becoming wastelands again.
In 1985 Hohenfels was chosen as one of 4 ITAM pilot sites to bring "drawing board" concepts to reality. When the ITAM program was fully integrated into other Army training areas in 1988 and 1989, Hohenfels became a model for training area land management worldwide. The office of the deputy chief of staff for operations picked up responsibility for ITAM-DA in 1996, so that management of the program moved from the Army's environmentalists to the trainers. The change was significant, because it forced the training community to recognize the importance of land management now that funding comes through the training program.
Description After 1951, its range served as a US Army training base operated by the 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwöhr, Germany.
Called "The Top of the Rock" the small post was among the most feared and disAfter 1951, its range served as a US Army training base operated by the 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwöhr, Germany.
Called "The Top of the Rock" the small post was among the most feared and disliked of all training areas due to high altitude and extreme weather conditions. The post was home to tank ranges and artillery ranges in addition to standard training ranging. Additionally, it was one of only a few training sites allowed by the German government to utilize CS gas in training.... More
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Comments
A medal/ribbon awarded for my honorable active duty service during a declared national emergency- in my case during the Vietnam War, period 1-Jan-61 through 14-Aug-74.
Description Grafenwoehr is located in beautiful Bavaria, near Nuremberg. The major command is the 7th Army Training Command with the primary mission of training. There are approximately 1000 people assigned as peGrafenwoehr is located in beautiful Bavaria, near Nuremberg. The major command is the 7th Army Training Command with the primary mission of training. There are approximately 1000 people assigned as permanent party in Grafenwoehr. In 1998 the 7th Army Training Command (7ATC) initiated a live-fire exercise to train armored task forces and companies at Grafenwoehr Training Area. This is a significant change in land use at GTA, which has traditionally supported only limited off-road maneuvers.
The 90-year-history of the Grafenwoehr Training Area begann under the Royal Bavarian Army and continued with the German Wehrmacht. Many celebrities have visited Grafenwoehr, to include the Bavarian Princes and Elvis Presley, the King of Rock´n´Roll. Some may remember it as Strafenwoehr, a play on words about "Punish-Woehr" because the German word for punishment is the manipulated word of "G-rafen-Woehr" into "S-trafen-Woehr).... More
Description Hohenfels Training Area was approximately 45 miles southwest of Grafenwoehr, and was less than 60 miles from the Czech Republic border. It was located in Neumarkt County in the Upper Palatinate distriHohenfels Training Area was approximately 45 miles southwest of Grafenwoehr, and was less than 60 miles from the Czech Republic border. It was located in Neumarkt County in the Upper Palatinate district in the independent state of Bavaria. The region was part of the "Upper Palatinate Jura" uplands that extended from Amberg in the north to the Danube river in the south. The characteristic features of the Jura were hilly terrain with softly rounded rock formations, mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, dry valleys and a general scarcity of water resources. The arable land in the lower sections between the hills is of low fertility, frequently covered with eroded rock and limestone. These conditions explained the sparse population of the area.
Hohenfels' elevation ranged from 1,155 feet above sea level in the southeast corner of the training area to more than 2,000 feet above sea level in the southwest, and terrain varies from hills and softly rounded rock formations to dry valleys. Forests of coniferous and deciduous trees, brush and grasses grew in the yellow- and brown-clay topsoil. The limestone ground absorbed water slowly, but erosion control measures helped prevent topsoil from washing into streams.
Hohenfels had been the subject of intensive geological and hydro-geological investigations for several years to identify geotectonic zones of weakness (dolines, sinkholes) causing excessive turbidity in off-post areas after heavy rainfalls and demonstrating a potential safety hazard for training units during maneuver activities. Groundwater turbidity appeard to have increased since the construction of erosion control basins at the HTA.
Historical finds near the Vils and Naab rivers indicated settlement of the region as early as 700 BC, although human life could be traced back nearly 4,000 years. In early recorded history, the area was mentioned in 15 BC, by Emperor Augustus who sent his army north across the Alps to stop the southward move and land occupation by the Celtic and Gallic tribes. One of the tribes' strongholds was allegedly on Lindenberg Hill.
Historically, the primary occupation of the region's population was agriculture, cattle breeding, work in the forests and minor trade. Everyday life was uneventful until the area attracted military attention in 1937. The Hohenburg castle ruins on the Hohenfels Training Area was built around 1,000 AD by the counts of Hohenburg. After destruction and decay it was rebuilt in 1584. Its role was the domicile of nobility ended in 1641 when it was badly damaged by lightning that struck the gunpowder tower.
Hohenfels takes its name from the rock formations prevalent in the area and is literally translated as "high rock" or "high cliff." The name Hohenfels referred to the elevated location of the former castle. Built by a Noble of Hohenfels in the 10th century it changed hands several times. In 1631, Tilly, the famous general of the Thirty Years' War, possessed it. Later, in 1724, it was returned under Bavarian ownership and in 1804, its role as a residence of nobles ended. New private owners tore it down leaving nothing but part of the tower and wall ruins.
Numerous wars and conflicts burdened the local and regional populace including the Peasants' War in 1524 and the Thirty Years' War from 1618-1648. Between 1716 and 1721 the beautiful church "Saint Ulrich" was built. In 1743 nearly the entire town was destroyed by fire. A look at the town's buildings impressed the extent of that fire and by 2000 only few houses were over 200 years old. Conflict continued after with the Spanish and Austrian Succession War in the 18th century, and the First and Second World War, which resulted in the loss of uncounted lives and in immeasurable suffering and pain.
It was during the latter that the German army established a training area near the town of Hohenfels in 1938, and German combat units activated, reorganized and reequipped at the training area throughout World War II. Several villages were evacuated when the training area was built and expanded. A few scattered ruins remained in the training area. Polish, Ukrainian, Yugoslav, Russian, British and American soldiers were also interned at a prisoner of war camp at Hohenfels until they were liberated by the Third US Army on 22 April 1945. As one of the few facilities that had not suffered major damage, the camp became a processing station for displaced persons. US forces in 1951 expanded the training area to 40,017 acres, and American units began training there in October 1951. This facility became known as the Hohenfels Training Area (HTA).
Hohenfels and the HTA became home to the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) in 1988, a part of the 7th Army Training Command. The CMTC at Hohenfels, at 39,858 acres (16,130 hectares), was the second largest training area available to US forces in Europe. The main mission was the training of troops.
By the mid-1980s much of the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany had become a moonscape. Tanks got stuck in the sucking mud, yellow-clay soil washed into streams and lakes, killing fish, and other animals and plants suffered as the land deteriorated from constant training. In response, the Department of the Army in 1985 created the Integrated Training Area Management program to rehabilitate US Army training lands throughout the world and, more importantly, to prevent them from becoming wastelands again.
In 1985 Hohenfels was chosen as one of 4 ITAM pilot sites to bring "drawing board" concepts to reality. When the ITAM program was fully integrated into other Army training areas in 1988 and 1989, Hohenfels became a model for training area land management worldwide. The office of the deputy chief of staff for operations picked up responsibility for ITAM-DA in 1996, so that management of the program moved from the Army's environmentalists to the trainers. The change was significant, because it forced the training community to recognize the importance of land management now that funding comes through the training program.
Description Exercise Reforger (from return of forces to Germany) was an annual exercise conducted, during the Cold War, by NATO. The exercise was intended to ensure that NATO had the ability to quickly deploy forExercise Reforger (from return of forces to Germany) was an annual exercise conducted, during the Cold War, by NATO. The exercise was intended to ensure that NATO had the ability to quickly deploy forces to West Germany in the event of a conflict with the Warsaw Pact.
The Reforger exercise itself was first conceived in 1967. The Johnson administration announced plans to withdraw approximately two divisions from Europe during 1968. As a demonstration of its continuing commitment to the defense of NATO and to illustrate its capability of rapid reinforcement, a large scale force deployment was planned that would deploy a division or more to West Germany in a regular annual exercise. The first such exercise was conducted beginning on 6 January 1969. These exercises continued annually past the end of the Cold War, except for the year 1989, until 1993.
This year's REFORGER exercise took place during the period 30 September-21 November 1974. In the first phase of the three-part exercise, the U.S. Air Force, using C-5 and C-141 aircraft, transported over 11,400 soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division, the 212th Artillery Group, the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, and other units based in the United States to airfields in the Federal Republic of Germany. The units received prepositioned sets of equipment and then moved to assembly areas. CERTAIN PLEDGE, the field training phase of REFORGER, involved the airlifted units, as well as U.S. Army, Europe; German; and Canadian forces in extensive offensive and defensive exercises during the period 10-23 October 1974. The final phase began on 24 October 1974 when the airlifted units test-fired large-caliber weapons and performed the maintenance necessary to prepare the prepositioned stocks for storage. During this phase, tactical operations center personnel from the airlifted units participated in command post exercise CERTAIN RESOLVE. Afterward, the units departed Nurnberg and Ramstein Air Force bases and returned to their home stations by 21 November 1974.
Major units: (Germany-based units) USAREUR (U.S. Army Europe): 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Nuremberg; 1st Armored Division, Ansbach. (U.S. based units): 1st Infantry Division (Mech), 1st Cavalry Division, 8th Infantry Division, Bad Kreuznach.... More
Description After 1951, its range served as a US Army training base operated by the 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwöhr, Germany.
Called "The Top of the Rock" the small post was among the most feared and disAfter 1951, its range served as a US Army training base operated by the 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwöhr, Germany.
Called "The Top of the Rock" the small post was among the most feared and disliked of all training areas due to high altitude and extreme weather conditions. The post was home to tank ranges and artillery ranges in addition to standard training ranging. Additionally, it was one of only a few training sites allowed by the German government to utilize CS gas in training.... More
Note on this unit assignment (for my Redeye Gunner AIT at Ft. Bliss):
The actual unit I was assigned to at Ft. Bliss for my Redeye Gunner AIT was C-2-1 (Btry C, 2nd AD Training Bn, 1st AIT Bde (AD)). Unfortunately I have no way of adding this unit info to this training schools entry at this time, since this unit is not listed in the TWS database. Unknown if this issue will be addressed in a future TWS database update.
In addition, once I successfully completed my Redeye Gunner training at Ft. Bliss TX a Redeye Designator 'R6' was then added to the end of my MOS. I would've added this R6 info to my listed MOS in my profile, but it looks like TWS doesn't support doing that at this time. (Not sure if the R6 added to the end of my MOS is technically an ASI (Additional Skill Identifier)- I only knew it as a Redeye Designator when I was in the service.)
Description Grafenwoehr is located in beautiful Bavaria, near Nuremberg. The major command is the 7th Army Training Command with the primary mission of training. There are approximately 1000 people assigned as peGrafenwoehr is located in beautiful Bavaria, near Nuremberg. The major command is the 7th Army Training Command with the primary mission of training. There are approximately 1000 people assigned as permanent party in Grafenwoehr. In 1998 the 7th Army Training Command (7ATC) initiated a live-fire exercise to train armored task forces and companies at Grafenwoehr Training Area. This is a significant change in land use at GTA, which has traditionally supported only limited off-road maneuvers.
The 90-year-history of the Grafenwoehr Training Area begann under the Royal Bavarian Army and continued with the German Wehrmacht. Many celebrities have visited Grafenwoehr, to include the Bavarian Princes and Elvis Presley, the King of Rock´n´Roll. Some may remember it as Strafenwoehr, a play on words about "Punish-Woehr" because the German word for punishment is the manipulated word of "G-rafen-Woehr" into "S-trafen-Woehr).... More
Description Hohenfels Training Area was approximately 45 miles southwest of Grafenwoehr, and was less than 60 miles from the Czech Republic border. It was located in Neumarkt County in the Upper Palatinate distriHohenfels Training Area was approximately 45 miles southwest of Grafenwoehr, and was less than 60 miles from the Czech Republic border. It was located in Neumarkt County in the Upper Palatinate district in the independent state of Bavaria. The region was part of the "Upper Palatinate Jura" uplands that extended from Amberg in the north to the Danube river in the south. The characteristic features of the Jura were hilly terrain with softly rounded rock formations, mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, dry valleys and a general scarcity of water resources. The arable land in the lower sections between the hills is of low fertility, frequently covered with eroded rock and limestone. These conditions explained the sparse population of the area.
Hohenfels' elevation ranged from 1,155 feet above sea level in the southeast corner of the training area to more than 2,000 feet above sea level in the southwest, and terrain varies from hills and softly rounded rock formations to dry valleys. Forests of coniferous and deciduous trees, brush and grasses grew in the yellow- and brown-clay topsoil. The limestone ground absorbed water slowly, but erosion control measures helped prevent topsoil from washing into streams.
Hohenfels had been the subject of intensive geological and hydro-geological investigations for several years to identify geotectonic zones of weakness (dolines, sinkholes) causing excessive turbidity in off-post areas after heavy rainfalls and demonstrating a potential safety hazard for training units during maneuver activities. Groundwater turbidity appeard to have increased since the construction of erosion control basins at the HTA.
Historical finds near the Vils and Naab rivers indicated settlement of the region as early as 700 BC, although human life could be traced back nearly 4,000 years. In early recorded history, the area was mentioned in 15 BC, by Emperor Augustus who sent his army north across the Alps to stop the southward move and land occupation by the Celtic and Gallic tribes. One of the tribes' strongholds was allegedly on Lindenberg Hill.
Historically, the primary occupation of the region's population was agriculture, cattle breeding, work in the forests and minor trade. Everyday life was uneventful until the area attracted military attention in 1937. The Hohenburg castle ruins on the Hohenfels Training Area was built around 1,000 AD by the counts of Hohenburg. After destruction and decay it was rebuilt in 1584. Its role was the domicile of nobility ended in 1641 when it was badly damaged by lightning that struck the gunpowder tower.
Hohenfels takes its name from the rock formations prevalent in the area and is literally translated as "high rock" or "high cliff." The name Hohenfels referred to the elevated location of the former castle. Built by a Noble of Hohenfels in the 10th century it changed hands several times. In 1631, Tilly, the famous general of the Thirty Years' War, possessed it. Later, in 1724, it was returned under Bavarian ownership and in 1804, its role as a residence of nobles ended. New private owners tore it down leaving nothing but part of the tower and wall ruins.
Numerous wars and conflicts burdened the local and regional populace including the Peasants' War in 1524 and the Thirty Years' War from 1618-1648. Between 1716 and 1721 the beautiful church "Saint Ulrich" was built. In 1743 nearly the entire town was destroyed by fire. A look at the town's buildings impressed the extent of that fire and by 2000 only few houses were over 200 years old. Conflict continued after with the Spanish and Austrian Succession War in the 18th century, and the First and Second World War, which resulted in the loss of uncounted lives and in immeasurable suffering and pain.
It was during the latter that the German army established a training area near the town of Hohenfels in 1938, and German combat units activated, reorganized and reequipped at the training area throughout World War II. Several villages were evacuated when the training area was built and expanded. A few scattered ruins remained in the training area. Polish, Ukrainian, Yugoslav, Russian, British and American soldiers were also interned at a prisoner of war camp at Hohenfels until they were liberated by the Third US Army on 22 April 1945. As one of the few facilities that had not suffered major damage, the camp became a processing station for displaced persons. US forces in 1951 expanded the training area to 40,017 acres, and American units began training there in October 1951. This facility became known as the Hohenfels Training Area (HTA).
Hohenfels and the HTA became home to the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) in 1988, a part of the 7th Army Training Command. The CMTC at Hohenfels, at 39,858 acres (16,130 hectares), was the second largest training area available to US forces in Europe. The main mission was the training of troops.
By the mid-1980s much of the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany had become a moonscape. Tanks got stuck in the sucking mud, yellow-clay soil washed into streams and lakes, killing fish, and other animals and plants suffered as the land deteriorated from constant training. In response, the Department of the Army in 1985 created the Integrated Training Area Management program to rehabilitate US Army training lands throughout the world and, more importantly, to prevent them from becoming wastelands again.
In 1985 Hohenfels was chosen as one of 4 ITAM pilot sites to bring "drawing board" concepts to reality. When the ITAM program was fully integrated into other Army training areas in 1988 and 1989, Hohenfels became a model for training area land management worldwide. The office of the deputy chief of staff for operations picked up responsibility for ITAM-DA in 1996, so that management of the program moved from the Army's environmentalists to the trainers. The change was significant, because it forced the training community to recognize the importance of land management now that funding comes through the training program.
Description After 1951, its range served as a US Army training base operated by the 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwöhr, Germany.
Called "The Top of the Rock" the small post was among the most feared and disAfter 1951, its range served as a US Army training base operated by the 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwöhr, Germany.
Called "The Top of the Rock" the small post was among the most feared and disliked of all training areas due to high altitude and extreme weather conditions. The post was home to tank ranges and artillery ranges in addition to standard training ranging. Additionally, it was one of only a few training sites allowed by the German government to utilize CS gas in training.... More
Note on this unit assignment (for my Infantry AIT at Ft. Polk):
The actual unit I was assigned to at Ft. Polk for my Infantry AIT was E-2-3 (E Co, 2nd Training Bn, 3rd AIT Bde). Unfortunately I have no way to add this unit info to this training schools entry at this time- unknown if the ability to do this will be added in a future TWS database update.
The initial BCT unit I was assigned to at Fort Knox was 2nd Platoon D-17-5 (D Company, 17th Battalion, 5th Training Brigade). After several weeks I became ill with an upper respiratory infection (URI) and was quarantined along with many others in a separate barracks until the high fever and illness passed. At that point I had missed several days of training (during two different weeks) and was then transferred to the A-18-5 BCT unit to make up the missed training (since their training was 2 weeks behind ours).
Instructors
My Drill Instructor during the time I was with D-17-5 in BCT at Fort Knox was SFC Massey. He was your typical hardcore Vietnam-era DI, doing his best to shape young trainees into U.S. Army soldiers. I (as well as other trainees I suspect) could argue about some of his methods back then, but I surely couldn't argue about his motives. He helped make a soldier out of me, and I owe him for that.
Other Memories
General thoughts:
Looking back, Basic Combat Training (BCT), and Orientation before that, at Fort Knox was a complete shock to the system- of course it's meant to be. The only life I had ever known was a civilian one... and the indoctrination into military life (at the age of 18) was quick, forceful and to the point. Even in the short (only a few days long?) Orientation phase, we were busy every day, all day, with something we needed to do to slide into military service- getting haircuts, uniforms and gear, getting vaccinated, getting assigned our bunks and footlockers, etc, etc. And then the shit really hit the fan in BCT. The DI's were tough on anyone and everyone- Trainees were all we were at that point- you must earn the right to be called a soldier. Even visits to the mess hall were extremely rushed and you were monitored by the DI's constantly. Pressure, speed, paying attention and doing everything you were taught correctly- as well as executing as a team- were all watchwords of every day I spent in BCT. Welcome to the U.S. Army, Trainee!
Unit assignments:
The initial BCT unit I was assigned to at Fort Knox was 2nd Platoon D-17-5 (D Company, 17th Battalion, 5th Training Brigade). After several weeks in this unit, I became ill with an upper respiratory infection (URI) and was quarantined along with many others in a separate barracks until my high fever and illness passed. As a result, I missed several days of training (impacting two different training weeks) and was then transferred to the A-18-5 unit to make up my missed training days (since their training was 2 weeks behind ours). In the end, it took me 11 weeks to complete my BCT at Fort Knox instead of the usual 9 weeks.
I was close to quite a few members of the Redeye Section when I was transferred to CSC in Apr of '75... it was a fairly small group, so it was pretty easy to get to know everyone. Some of my closest friends in this group included Trygg (Stump) Andersen, Jessie Calloway, Michael Hight, Tom Woodell... and I might've forgotten 1 or 2 others. Despite being transferred to CSC, I was still in touch with my good friends at B and C Company (though some of these friends completed their military service before I did). I still miss the Redeye Section today, some teams you never forget.
One of the best moments for me, in the entire time I was in the service, was when I was chosen to represent my unit (CSC, 2Bn 48Inf) by participating in the annual Redeye Missile live-fire exercise held at Grafenwoehr in 1976. There was only one Redeye Section in our entire Battalion, so I wasn't just representing our Section or my Company- I was representing my entire Battalion as well. Was I nervous during my live-fire, with a grandstand full of military personnel and soldiers watching me? You bet. But I fell back on my training, did what I was taught to do, and I scored a direct hit (as opposed to a tactical kill) on the BATS target that day- I was actually one of the few gunners in 3d Armored Division to do so. I would eventually be commended by the 3d Armored Division and the 2-48 Battalion Commander for my performance while attached to the Redeye Section in CSC from Apr of '75 to Sep of '76.
Company Commander: CPT Willie B. Nance Jr.
There were 3 standard field maneuvers (3-4wks each) we went on every year, for 3 1/2yrs: Grafenwoehr, Hohenfels, and Wildflecken (in winter). There were also various other field exercises that we participated in as well: REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany, or How to Move 10 Divisions in 10 Days), Guard duty at the Miesau Munitions Depot, 'Combat in Cities' training in Berlin, winter training in Munich, etc. It was always nice to get back to Garrison (Coleman Kaserne, Gelnhausen) after any field duty. I had a walking stick that had hash marks cut on it for every field exercise I went on... by the end of my 3 1/2yr tour in Germany I had about 13 hash marks on that stick.